More than 300 Manitobans spoke at public hearings on the bill.Getty Images/iStockphoto
An anonymous grandfather is being praised for his heartfelt letter blasting his own daughter for the shabby treatment of her gay son.
The Daily Mail reports on the remarkable missive in which the grandfather denounces his daughter's decision to kick her son out of the house after he announced he was gay.
The bluntly beautiful letter first appeared this week on the Facebook page of FCKH8.com. Speaking with wisdom that usually comes only with age, the unnamed grandfather tells his daughter, named Christine: "You're correct that we have a 'shame in the family' but mistaken about what it is."
He continues: "Kicking Chad out of your home simply because he told you he was gay is the real 'abomination' here. A parent disowning her child is what goes 'against nature.' "
Whether knowingly or not, the grandfather gives a nod to Lady Gaga in his defense of his grandson: "He was born this way and didn't choose it any more than he being left-handed."
And because grandparents usually know how to hit just the right nerve, the old boy delivers the kicker:
"So, while we are in the business of abandoning our children, I think I'll take this moment to say goodbye to you. I now have a fabulous (as the gay put it) grandson to raise, and I don't have time for heartless B-word of a daughter."
Since being posted on Monday, the letter has generated more than 8,000 likes and 3,000 comments overwhelmingly in support of the grandfather's comments.
"Bestest gramps ever!!! He wins the Internet," wrote Megan Woodcock Keegan. From Lauren Moose Boland: "Go Grandpa!!!! I swear our parents' parents were more open-minded than our parents."
Or this comment from Tinka Lawrence: "Sad for the daughter that she chose this. I'm just so happy that the son has family to still surround him and support him."
And because it's the right thing to do, the grandfather closes off his letter with a flicker of hope in telling his daughter, "If you find your heart, give us a call."
Good for you, grandpa.